Typewriting machine



March R. s. THOMPSON 1,950,762

TYPEWRITING MACHINE FiledAug. 10. 1931 'asneets-sheet 1 INVENTOR -/?(/5$ELL 6. THOMPSON ATTORNEY March 13, 1934. R, THOMPSON 1,950,762

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Au 10, 193i 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR R US 55 LL 6. THOMPSON ATTORNEY March 13, 1934. R. G. THOMPSON ,7

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Aug. 10. 1931 s Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR SELL 6.771'0MP50/V ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES TYPEWRITING MACHINE Russell G. Thompson, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Electromatic Typewriters, Inc., Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 10, 1931, Serial No. 556,097

11 Claim's. (Cl. 197157) -This invention relates to improvements in typewriting machines, and particularly to the ribbon vibrating devices forsuch machines. The principal object of this invention is the provision of simple and inexpensive means for automatically shifting the ribbon vibrator during the traverse of the carriage to change the color field of the ribbon so that one or more vertical columns may appear in different colors on the printed page.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a power operated typewriting machine of power operated means for shifting the ribbon vibrator, which means are controlled by the movement of the carriage.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts that will appear from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a transverse vertical section of so much of a typewriting machine as is necessary to illustrate one possible embodiment of the invention, the ribbon vibrating devices being shown in the usual position for printing in one color, such as black;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a type bar and means for operating the same and omitting other parts;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevation of cooperating devices on the frame and carriage for controlling the operation of the' shifting devices, and

Fig. 4 is an inverted plan view of the same. Referring particularly to the drawings, in which the invention is illustrated applied to a power driven typewriting machine of well known.

on the platen. A ribbon vibrator 7 is slidably mounted on the type guide for movement to and from the printing point on the platen to move a ribbon threaded therein between the printing point-on the platen and the type when atively connected with the type bar.

the latter moves into printing engagement with the platen.

The type bar is operated by power driven means comprising a'power driven roller 8 arranged to operate a bell crank lever 9 oper- The lever 9 is pivoted on the frame of the machine and has an arm 10 which projects downwardly adjacent thepower roller and has a cam 11 revolubly mounted thereon. The cam 11 is normally out of engagement with the power driven roller but is resiliently urged into engagement therewith by means of a spring-pressed arm 12 which engages a lug l3 projecting from the cam. A second lug 14 on the cam engages a stop 15 on a lever 16 pivoted on the bell crank 9. When the lever 16 is swung to move its stop out of the path of the lug 14, the arm 12 turns the cam into engagement with the roller 8 to be driven thereby to swing the lever 9. The lever 16 is offset laterally at its upper end for cooperation with the slotted end of an arm 17 on the key lever 18. The key lever 18 is pivoted on the common pivot rod 19 and at its forward end is provided with a key 21 whereby it may be manually operated. A spring 22 connects the key lever with a fixed part and resiliently retains it and the lever 16 in the normal position shown in Fig. 2. The bell crank lever 9 is connected with a bell crank lever 23 by means of a link 24. A second link 25 connects the lever 23 with a toggle lever 26 pivoted to the type bar and also to a toggle link 2'? pivoted on a fixed part. A spring 28 connects the bell crank 23 with a fixed part and resiliently retains it and parts connected therewith in the normal position shown in Fig. 2. When the key is depressed, the bell crank 23 is operated through the power driven devices to swing the type bar into engagement with the platen. Although only one type bar and key lever are illustrated in the drawings for the sake of clearness, it will be understood that the usual number are or may be employed.

The usual means controlled by a universal bar 31 are provided for moving the ribbon vibrator andwith it the ribbon to the printing point on the platen when a type bar is moved into printing engagementwith the platen. The ribbon vibrator has a downwardly projecting arm 32 whereby it is pivoted to the forward end of an arm 33 pivoted to a fixed part of the machine. A link 34 is pivoted at one end to the arm 33 and at its other end is pivotally connected with a link 35 by means of a bearing stud 36. The bearing stud is arranged in an open branched stop 42 adjustably mounted on a fixed part limits the movement of the universal bar, and

a spring connects an arm on the universal bar with a fixed part and resiliently retains it in normal position. When the universal bar is actuated, it swings the actuator 38 in a direc-- tion to raise the ribbon vibrator and carry the ribbon to the printing point on the platen. The usual bichrome ribbon for printing in two colors is employed, and has a band 43 in black and another band 44 in red, and means are provided for shifting the ribbon vibrator so that it may be operated to interpose either the red or black band between the printing point and the type bar.

Fig. 2 shows the arrangement of the parts when adjusted for printing from the upper or black band of the ribbon, at which time the bearing stud occupies a position in the upper inner branch 46 of the slot in the actuator 38, and the forward end of the arm 33 rests on a stop 47 projecting from the frame of the machine and which limits its movement in one direction. When the stud 36 is shifted rearwardly into open end of the slot as at 47a, greater movement is imparted to the vibrator when the actuator is operated, which is suflicient to move the red band 44 of the ribbon to the printing point to print in red. When the stud 36 occupies an intermediate position, it follows the branch 48 of the slot when the actuator is'operated, and no movement is imparted to the ribbon vibrator, as when using the machine for stenciling cards etc., manually operated means convenient to the keyboard are provided for shift ing the stud 36. To this end, the'link 35 is pivoted to an arm 49 fixed. to a rock shaft 51 which is operatively connected to a bar or rod 52 slidably mounted in the frame by means of an arm 53 fixed to the rock shaft and pivoted to the rod. The rod .52 extends forwardly to a point above the keyboard where it is provided with a key or button 54 whereby it may be manually operated. A springpressed detent 55 resiliently engages one or another of a plurality of notches in the. rod 52 and retains it in adjusted position. The side walls of the notches =may be inclined to cam the detent therefrom when the rod is moved in one direction or life other. When the rod 52 is pulled forwardly from the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the rock shaft 51 is operated to shift the stud 36 to the red position through the intermediate stenciling position. The parts above described are or may be of usual or well known construction, and further detailed description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

In performing certain forms of work, such as certain bookkeeping operations, it is desirable to write certain vertical columns in one color while certain other columns appear in another color. To perform such work accurately and conveniently without unnecessary strain on the operator, it is desirable to provide means for automatically shifting the ribbon vibrator to change color at certain selected points in the traverse of the carriage. In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, power driven means are provided for operating the bar or rod 52 to change the color, which means are automatically controlled by devices or stops adjustably mounted on the carriage. One or more stops may be employed, a plurality being arranged to operate successively to move the rod in opposite directions. To this end, a bell crank lever is pivoted on the common pivot rod 19 and has an arm 61 projecting upwardly and rearwardly, which is bifurcated or slotted at its end to straddle the rod 52, and when the rod is in its rearmost adjusted position, as shown in Fig. 1, it loosely engages a lug or stud 62 projecting from the rod. The other arm 63 of the bell crank lever is connected with a power actuated bell crank lever 64 by means of right and left, and further detailed description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

The lever 67 operatively engages the slotted lower end of an arm 68 depending from a lever 69 pivotally mounted on the common pivot rod 19 and resiliently retained in normal position by means of the spring 71. The lever 69 is operatively connected with a lever 71 pivoted on the carriage rail '72 by means of the link 73. The lever '11 projects rearwardly from the rail '72 and is bent upwardly and laterally to a point adjacent a stop bar 74 on-the carriage. A cam member 75 is pivotally mounted on the free end of the arm or lever 71 and is resiliently retained in normal position thereon with a stop in engagement with the lever by means of the spring 76, but is free to swing in a direction away from the lever against the resiliency of said spring. The cam member projects into the path of one or more stops '77 adjustably mounted on the rack 74. When the carriage moves in letter space direction and one of its stops 77 engages the cam member 75, it cams said member out of its path and against its lever and swings the lever 71, which in turn through the link 73 swings the lever 69 to operate the cam unit and swing the bell crank 61 toward the lug 62 which it engages. to slide the bar 52 forwardly to shift the pivot stud 36 into the branch 47a of the slot in the actuator so that the ribbon vibrator is operated to move the red band of the ribbon to the printing point on the platen.

Carriage controlled means are also provided for moving the parts in the reverse direction for changing the printing from the red band of the ribbon back to the black band. To .this end, a link 81 at one end slidably engages an elongated opening or slot 82 in the rod 52,

and at its other end is pivoted to an arm of a bell crank lever 83 pivotally mounted on the common pivot rod. 19. The other arm of the bell crank lever is operatively connected with 87 with a lever 89 pivoted on the carriage rail 72, which lever may be concentric with the lever 71, as shown. The lever 89 is generally similar to the lever 71 but is spaced therefrom vertically and has its free end arranged in a lower horizontal plane. Both levers 71 and 89 normally engage a common stop 90. A cam member 91, in all respects like the cam member '75, is pivoted on its free end, the pivotal movement of which is limited in one direction by means of a stop which resiliently engages the lever under the action of the spring 92, which projects it into the path of a stop. 93 also adjustably mounted on the stop bar 74 but arranged in a horizontal plane below the stop 77 and out of the path of the cam member on the lever 71. By this arrangement, the lever 89 is independent of the stop '77 and the lever '71 is independent of the stop 93. When the stop 93 engages the cam member 91 to actuate the lever 89, the bell crank 84 is operated to swing the bell crank 83 in a direction to push the rod 52 rearwardly to shift the pivot pin 36 to the position shown in Fig. 1 for printing from the lower or black band of the ribbon.

It will be noted that the power driven levers 64 and 84 are so connected to the push rod 52 through the bell crank 61 and link 81 that the link 81 moves idly in the slot 82 when the push rod is adjusted by the lever 61, or manually by means of the button 54, and that the push rod moves independently of the lever 61 when it is operated by the link 81 or manually,

at which time the stud 62 moves away from the arm 61, and the rod moves idly in the bifurcated end of said arm. By this arrangement, although the rod 52 is moved alternately in opposite directions, the link 81 and bell crank 61 and their controlling devices are independent of each other, and the bar 52 is free to be manually operated at all times independently of said devices.

Although only one embodiment of the invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that this application is intended to cover such changes or modifications as come within the spirit of the invention or scope of the following claims.

I claim: 1. The combination with a frame, of a carriage movable thereon for letter spacing, a platen on the carriage, type bars movable to and from printing engagement with the platen, a rib-' bon vibrator for moving a bichrome ribbon to and from the printing point on the platen, means shiftable in one direction to determine a move-' ment of the vibrator to print one color of the ribbon and in the opposite direction to determine amovement of the vibrator to print the other color of the ribbon, and separate power actuated means movable independently of each other by the movement of the carriage in letter space direction for operating said shiftable means.

2. The combination with a frame, of a carriage movable thereon for letter spacing, a plat en on the. carriage, type bars movable to and from printing engagement with the platen, a ribbon vibrator for moving a bichrome ribbon to and from the printing point on the platen, shiftable means for selectively determining thecolor of the ribbon to be printed, a plurality of stops arranged in separate planes on the carriage, and separate power actuated means arranged in-the paths'of said stops for moving said shiftable means in opposite directions.

3. The combination with a frame, of a car riage movable thereon for letter spacing, a platen on the carriage, type bars movable to and from printing engagement with the platen, a ribbon vibrator for moving a bichrome ribbon to and from the printing point on the platen, shiftable means for selectively determining the color of the ribbon to be printed, a power actuated lever. for operating said means in one direction for printing one color from the ribbon, a second power actuated lever for operating said means in another direction to print another color from the ribbon, and a plurality of stops on the carriage for actuating said levers independently of each other.

4. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame, a carriage movable thereon for letter spacing, a platen on they carriage, type bars movable to and from printing engagement with the platen, a ribbon vibrator for moving a bichrome ribbon to and from the printing point on the platen, a shiftable bar for selecting the color of the ribbon to be printed, power actuated means for shifting said bar, and means adjustably mounted on the carriage for controlling the operation of said power actuated means.

5. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame, a carriage movable thereon for letter I spacing, at platen on the carriage, type bars movable to and from printing engagement with the platen, a ribbon vibrator for moving a bichrome ribbon to and from the printing point on the platen, a shiftable bar for selecting the color of the ribbon to be printed, power actuated means for shifting said bar, a lever for controlling the operation of said power actuated means, and means adjustably mounted on the carriage for operating said lever.

6. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame, a carriage movable thereon for letter spacing, a platen on the carriage, type bars movable to and from printing engagement with the platen, a ribbon vibrator for moving a bichrome ribbon to and from the printing point on the platen, a shiftable bar for selecting the color of the ribbon to be printed, power actuated means for shifting said bar, means operatively connecting said power actuated means with said bar comprising a bell crank lever movable independently of said bar in one direction but operatively engaging the bar when moved in the other direction, and means actuated by the movement of the carriage for controlling the operation of said power actuated means.

7. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame, a carriage movable thereon for letter spacing, a platen on the carriage, type bars movable to and from printing engagement with the platen, a ribbon vibrator for moving a bichrome ribbon to and from the printing point on the platen, a shiftable bar for selecting the color of for shifting said bar, means controlled by the movement of the carriage for operating said' power actuated means to shift the bar in one direction, and independently operable means for shifting the bar in the other direction.

8. In a typewriting machine, the combination "the ribbon to be printed, power actuated means of a frame, a carriage movable thereon for letter spacing, a platen on the carriage, type bars movable to and from printing engagement with the platen, a shiftable bar for selecting the color of the ribbon to be printed, power actuated means for shifting said bar, means operatively connecting said power actuated means with said bar comprising a link movable independently of said bar in one direction but operatively engaging the bar when moved in the other direction, and means actuated by the movement of the carriage for controlling the operation of said power actuated means.

9. In a typewriting machine, the combination of aframe, a carriage movable thereon for letter spacing, a platen on the carriage, type bars movable to and from printing engagement with the platen, a ribbon vibrator for moving a bichrome 10. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame, a carriage movable thereon for letter spacing, a platen on the carriage, type bars movable to and from printing engagement with the platen, a ribbon vibrator for moving a bichrome ribbon to and from the printing point on the platen, a shiftable bar for selecting the color of the ribbon to be printed, power actuated means for shifting said bar in one direction, a device adjustably mounted on the carriage for controlling the operation of said power actuated means, and automatically actuated means for independently shifting said bar in the other direction.

11. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame, a carriage movable thereon for letter spacing, a platen on the carriage, type bars movable to and from printing engagement with the platen, a ribbon vibrator for moving a bichrome ribbon to and from the printing point on the platen, a shiftable bar for selecting the color of the ribbon to be printed, power actuated means for shifting said bar in one direction, separate power actuated means for shifting said bar in theother direction, and a plurality of stop devices adjustably mounted on the carriage for independently controlling the operation of said power actuated means.

RUSSELL G. THOMPSON. 

